Rio Tinto is beginning its round of rough diamond tenders for the year 2014 with a first slated to be held in Israel and Antwerp from 9 March to the 28 March. Comprising 124 lots of rough diamonds from its Argyle (Australian), Diavik (Canadian) and Murowa (Zimbabwean) mines, the tender showcases a unique combination of white and fancy coloured rough diamonds.

Patrick Coppens, General manager of sales for Rio Tinto Diamonds said, “This Tender offers an opportunity to view and bid for the full suite of Rio Tinto’s diverse diamond productions, for which there is continued strong global demand.”

Some of the notable diamonds in the tender include: a 70 carat white diamond from the Diavik mine; fancy and intense yellow diamonds from all three mines; large dark brown diamonds from the Argyle mine; very rare natural pink rough diamonds from the Argyle mine; purple diamonds from the Diavik mine.

Whilst the majority of Rio Tinto's rough diamond production continues to be sold in Antwerp through two year supply agreements with designated Select Diamantaires, Rio Tinto offers specific product segments for sale to a wider community of invited companies. A proprietary auction mechanism is used for this sale format.